Saving Face -- Cait Collins

While the films The House is Black and Saving Face both look at a disastrous situation that brings about a crippling amount of damage to the lives of those affected the situation that is being compared differs completely. The House Is Back looks at the struggles of men and women handling the struggles brought about by the disease leprosy. Saving Face shows the effects of the disease misogyny. Misogyny is a social construct in which women are hated by their male counterparts. While "hate" may seem like a strong word it fits well. What do we do to people or things that we wish to go away? We repress them, we treat them unequally, and we destroy any potential they may have. 

The acid burns the women faced in Saving Face were done out of malice. It was not done out of momentary anger, but methodical, evil idea placed within the psyche of the men within the society. This is NOT TO SAY that all men are like this, absolutely NOT. But it is obviously a major issue and a majority of this is problem is brought about by men throwing acid into the faces of women, usually wives or women of sexual interest to the offender. This clearly points towards the idea that these men think they have the right to do something of this nature. There are also women who support actions of this nature. Many times this includes siblings or mothers of the young men who do this. One may assume its done out of a level of group-think, or perhaps its a way to keep the violence away from themselves and projected upon another woman. 

There are however people (both men and women equally) who want to fight against this. Dr. Mohammad Jawad is an amazing man doing amazing work to improve the lives of those affected by this terrible issue. He realizes that there is a major epidemic in a society that he is apart of, he is trying to fight against it and rebuild the lives of the people affected. The lawmakers passing laws to fight against the social acceptance of throwing acid is another example of society realizing that something must be done to fight against the acceptance of such hatred against women. These people are trying to build the potential of the people affected by acid attacks, to make them feel equal, safe and improve their lives. 

The same situation can be reflected with America via issues of rape.  Our society is still teaching women to avoid situations that might "bring about" rape.  Instead of teaching rapist not to rape.  We know the attire a child wears doesn't provoke a pedophile to rape a child, so how can we manipulate this idea and say that the attire upon a woman does provoke rape? It makes no sense unless we realize that our society naturally sexualize women, and thus assumes that if she doesn't cover up her "sexiness" then she is simply asking for the attention some total creep might give her.  Thankfully our american society is slowly moving towards some progress.  Though there will always be Todd Akin ("legitimate rape", a female's body can "shut the whole thing down" commentary completely un-based on any scientific information, Rush Limbaugh (slut shaming), and Pat Robertson (comments about Angel Rape) types out there, our society thankfully seems to be moving away from.